Shopping bag



B. K. SOMMER Nov. 11, 1952 SHOPPING BAG Filed March 6, 1950 3nventor 852mm )5? JON/"ER (Ittorneg Patented Nov. 11, 1952 UNITED STATES PATIENT OFFICE I 2,617,569 SHOPPING BAG 7 Bertha K. Summer, Elmhurst, N. Y-

Application March 6, 1950, Serial No. 147,830

This invention relates to shopping bags and the like. and is particularly directed to an improved. shopping bag which is so designed and constructed that, when it is not being used, it can be collapsed so as to occupy a minimum amount of space.

In accordance with the invention, such shopping bag includes a bag portion which is readily collapsible into a compact mass and which is provided with a carrying cord. Threaded on such cord is a flexible cover-handle designed to accommodate the bag portion in its collapsed condition. Suitable fastening means are provided to retain the collapsed bag portion within such cover-handle. Preferably, the cover-handle is slideably threaded on the cord so that its position relative to the bag portion can be varied to permit carrying of the shopping bag in various manners.

Details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred form of embodiment thereof, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a view, substantially in elevation, of a shopping bag embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the shopping bag of Fig. 1 in its collapsed condition.

Fig. 3 is a view showing how such shopping bag can be used to carry articles in the hand.

Fig. 4 is a view showing such shopping bag in use for over-the-shoulder carrying.

As shown in Fig. 1, the present shopping bag includes a nonrigid bag portion I made of any suitable material to permit its being completely collapsed into a compact mass when it is not being used to carry articles and the like. Advantageously, a mesh or net-like fabric is utilized to form such bag portion; and such fabric may be made of nylon because of its strength and stretchability as well as its pleasing appearance. The mouth of the bag portion is indicated at l2; and, as will be noted, the opposite edge of the one or more pieces of fabric constituting the bag portion may be gathered into a common bottom knot or point l4.

Attached to the bag portion at spaced points is the supporting cord H5, at an intermediate point on which is threaded the cover-handle l8. Cord I6 is preferably joined to the bag portion at mouth l2 and at point M. In such case cord I6 may be conveniently doubled back on itself as shown, with both ends afiixed to the bag portion at point 14 and with the attachment thereof at mouth I2 constituting a loop or running cord therearound so that, upon drawing both ends 4 Claims. (Cl. 224) of such loop together, mouth l2 can. be closed. This drawstring arrangement is particularly suitable for use with a bag portion made of a mesh fabric.

Cover-handle l8 preferably comprises a flat member of a suitable flexible or pliable material such as imitation leather and is of sufficient size so that, when bag portion I0 is collapsed, it can be folded up and wrapped therein to form the compact unit shown in Fig. 2. Snap-fastener elements 20 and 2|, or other suitable fastening means, are provided to enable the cover-handle to retain the collapsed bag portion in its compact condition.

The collapsible nature of such shopping bag comprises an important and particularly desirable feature of the present construction. Because the bag portion can be collapsed into a relatively small space and can then be neatly encased in the cover-handle to form an extremely compact unit, the shopping bag can be conveniently carried by a woman in her purse, for example, without interference with the balance of the contents thereof. No longer is it necessary for a woman to carry a shopping bag separate from her purse when she goes shopping. As will be readily apparent, the present invention provides a simple but neat construction offering a maximum amount of carrying capacity but, at the same time, quickly collapsible into a compact unit occupying a minimum amount of space.

As indicated above, cover-handle I8 is threaded on cord I6; and slits 24 and 25 therein are desirably so made that it is easily slideable along such cord. With this arrangement the position of the cover-handle on cord 5 can be quickly adjusted in accordance with any particular or desired manner of using the shopping bag. As shown in Fig. 3, for example, cover-handle I8 may be used to provide a handle when the shopping bag is carried by hand. In such case, the cover-handle is desirably rolled into a tubular shape and the cord I6 is suitably manipulated with respect thereto so as to provide a cushion to protect the hand against the pull of the cord. Again, as shown in Fig. 4, the cover-handle can serve as a pad to cushion the shoulder against the pull of the cord when the shopping bag is carried over the shoulder. In this latter case, the adjustability of the cover-handle with respect to the cord permits the bag portion to be shifted backward or forward in accordance with the carrying position found most comfortable.

The bag portion l0 may, of course, be made of any size desired. A shopping bag of ordinary carrying capacity, for example, can be folded or collapsed into a space approximately the size of a pack of cigarettes.

I claim:

1. A shopping bag comprising a nonrigid bag portion completely collapsible into a compact mass and having an opening for the introduction of articles thereinto, a supporting cord attached to said bag portion at spaced points, a flat member of flexible material threaded on said cord, and fastening means associated with said fiat member, said bag portion, upon being collapsed into a compact mass, being adapted to be entirely wrapped in said flexible fiat member and retained therein by said fastening means.

2. The shopping bag as claimed in claim 1, in which the flat member is slideably threaded on said cord.

3. A shopping bag comprising a nonrigid bag portion completely collapsible into a compact mass and having an opening for the introduction of articles thereinto, a supporting cord attached at one end to the bag portion at such opening and at the other end to the opposite end of the bag portion, a flat member of flexible material slideably threaded on said cord, and fastening means associated with said fiat member, said bag portion, upon being collapsed into a compact mass, being adapted to be entirely wrapped in said flexible fiat member and retained therein by said fastening means.

4. The shopping bag as claimed in claim 3, in which the supporting cord is attached to the bag portion at its opening in the form of a loop extending around such opening so that such cord can act as a drawstring.

BERTHA K. SUMMER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Marsico et a1. June 6, 1950 

